glasstec 2022: the highlights

From 20 to 23 September 2022 the international glass sector will finally meet again at its world’s leading trade fair after four years. Only one week to go and then glasstec in Düsseldorf will provide a unique line-up of innovations, trends and solutions, combined with a high-calibre supporting programme from science and practice. Anticipation is particularly high this time, because 2022 is the “International Year of Glass”.

glasstec 2022 will again live up to its role as the largest and most relevant event for the glass sector with around 940 exhibitors from 47 nations. Trade visitors will be offered a wide array of products and solutions from glass production, processing and finishing segments, skilled crafts, architecture/construction and window/facade. The exhibitor database at www.glasstec-online.com provides a comprehensive overview of the participating companies and their ranges.  

glasstec conference: Think Tank for the glass industry

The glasstec conference in Hall 11 combines the industry know-how from theory and practice within the context of the five global trend topics Climate, Urbanisation, Value, Resources and Well-being. Each day glasstec 2022 visitors can gather information on current developments and trends in lectures on glass production, glass processing and finishing as well as glass products and applications. Parts of the conference programme are also streamed free of charge on the glasstec website. Only pre-registration is required for this. The glasstec conference programme at a glance:

• Tuesday 20/9 – Glass Processing and Finishing
• Wednesday 21/9 – Glass Production I
• Thursday, 22/9 – Glass Products and Applications I & Glass Production II
• Friday, 23/9 – Glass Products and Applications II

The complete programme of the glasstec conference is available online at www.glasstec-online.com

Foresight. Sustainable Architecture with Glass – The International Architecture Congress

The International Architecture Congress has traditionally been part of the ancillary events. In the program, eight representatives of renowned architect’s and engineering firms that are doing pioneering work in planning and building with glass, will present their exciting themes. Among the topics discussed will be the contribution glass facades can make to independence from fossil fuels and to people’s well-being in a warming climate and the technical and design potential glass offers in architecture today. The North Rhine-Westphalian Chamber of Architects credits the Congress as a continuous education event in the subject areas architecture and interior design.

The programme of the International Architecture Congress is available online at www.glasstec-online.com

Innovation show “glass technology live”

The focal point of the ancillary events program will be the innovation showcase “glass technology live” (gtl) in Hall 11. Under the title “NEXT IN GLASS” the Special Show will again be organised by the university network of the four Technical Universities of Darmstadt, Delft, Dortmund and Dresden and demonstrate the combined innovative strength of the industry. In addition to new technologies, exhibits from scientific glass research will also be presented.

One of the highlights is the “Ziptruss” of the Technical University Delft. Forces that act in a structure are abstract and cannot be observed directly. “Ziptruss” makes the forces acting in structures visible in a spectacular way: the structural elements themselves light up and indicate the compressive and tensile forces in real time. A track with a seat allows visitors to apply force to the structure with their own body weight and shift it along the length of the beam. The effects produced on the truss are visualised by an impressive dynamic pattern.

All exhibits at glass technology live adress at least one of the glasstec 2022 trend topics. Interested parties can find more information on glass technology live and the guided tours of the Innovation Show online at  www.glasstec.de/2530

Crafts LIVE and WorldSkills Germany@glasstec

The special area Crafts LIVE in Hall 10 will this year once again show the top innovations for the glazier trades in hands-on demonstrations.  The motto this year is: World Championship of Skills.

At the WorldSkills Germany@glasstec young glaziers from throughout Germany will compete and measure their skills in glass construction technology. The winner of this qualifying contest will secure a place at “EuroSkills 2023” in Poland. The five contestants from Germany have already been nominated. Three other places will be awarded to international participants by 20 September. Information on the five German contestants is available at: www.glasstec-online.com.

The contest is organised by the German Association of Glazier Trades (BIVG e.V.) and the Federal Association of Young Glaziers and Window Makers; (Bundesverband der Jungglaser und Fensterbauer). Partners and sponsors include Bohle, Hegla and the ift Rosenheim.

The competition formats also include glass stillage installation, where the fastest team wins. Registrations for this competition can be submitted on site. In a live demonstration on the fire resistance of fire safety glass, the ift Rosenheim will show how glass can safely seal off a room in case of fire. By using wire mirror glass the flamed fire room and the different surface temperatures are made visible during the demonstration.    

The program is rounded off by the Special Show “glass art” which shows art objects made of glass. The spectrum of exhibiting artists from internationally renowned galleries ranges from glass vases and sculptures to glass painting.

START-UP ZONE: market entry for young companies from the glass industry

This year the START-UP ZONE in Hall 11 will be used by eleven young and innovative companies from Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland to introduce themselves to top decision-makers from the glass industry as well as to experts from business, research and politics.

Tickets for glasstec 2022 are available online at www.glasstec-online.com. There, visitors will also find all details about exhibitors and the ancillary program.

Concurrently with glasstec: decarbXpo – new special-interest trade fair for decarbonisation and climate neutrality in industry and commerce

This year the decarbXpo trade fair will be held concurrently with glasstec in Hall 9. Here, companies from the glass industry can discover a unique cross-section of technologies and services: from hydrogen and energy storage systems to green power and consulting. In addition, the trade fair forums offer tailor-made user presentations:

• 21/9 at the Forum 1 (Hall 9), from 2.30 pm: Decarbonisation with a Focus on the Glass Industry addressing topics such as “Low-Carbon Float Glass”, “Future of Glass Melting” and “All Electric Plants”
• 22/9 at the Forum 1 (Hall 9), from 10.40 am: Energy Management and Energy Storage addressing topics such as “The Way to a Net Zero Factory”, “Buildings as a Grid” and “Smart Energy Management and Reverse Peak Shaving”

glasstec attendees can visit decarbXpo free of charge with their glasstec ticket.